Public Safety Telecommunicator

Norfolk, Virginia is Americas most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the worlds largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Would you find it rewarding to be a crucial link in the public safety chain? If you answered yes to these questions, then you may be a good fit for the City of Norfolks 911 center. As essential staff members of our agency, Public Safety Call Takers are the first people that a caller interacts with when reporting emergencies in Norfolk. We are seeking a full time Public Safety Telecommunicator, Call Taker to join our Team!

Our 911 Call Takers receive extensive paid training to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to be independent decision makers while adhering to established policies and procedures. Through continued training, our Call Takers can advance to the Public Safety Telecommunicator I, II, and III skillsets, and more. From their training, our staff is able to:

– Answer 911 emergency and non-emergency calls from the community so police, fire, or EMS services may be dispatched.
– Make lifesaving decisions and provide clear direction and advice, including pre-arrival medical instruction to callers reporting medical emergencies.

Norfolk employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package and as a member of a public safety agency this includes no-cost participation in a wellness program which provides massages, saltwater floats, sauna, gym use, and more. We value our first responders and care about their physical and emotional wellness.

Departmental Hiring Salary Range:

$41,775 – $45,952

Video – Norfolks 911 Telecommunicators

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

– Train and certify on multi-line E911 and administrative phone lines and associated equipment. Field stressful calls while entering information into computer aided dispatch system (CAD) for Police/Fire/EMS dispatch.
– Maintain communication with other departments which may involve decision-making for public safety purposes.
– Learns and responds to emergency and non-emergency requests by answering multi-line telephones, including 911 lines and computer-aided dispatch (CAD), determining the callers needs, verifying information given by the caller and sending information to the dispatcher.
– Provides additional assistance to the general public by searching wanted information, locating and/or referring phone numbers and addresses to appropriate departments, contacting outside agencies for assistance regarding mutual aid, power failures, gas leaks or other issues.
– Access federal, state, and local criminal databases for relevant information.
– May perform other duties such as training employees, attend training classes, conduct tours and public outreach.
– Maintains communication with other departments which may involve decision-making for public safety purposes.
– Works with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
– Performs related duties as assigned.

In order to successfully perform essential functions, candidates must:

– Type minimum 30 words per minute. Keyboard proficiency required to effectively train and certify in this position.
– Attend our in-house Public Safety Telecommunicator academy where you will attain the following certifications: Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD), Cardio-Pulmo ary Resuscitation (CPR), Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN/NCIC), Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certification.
– Train and certify on multi-line E911 and administrative phone lines and associated equipment.
– Field stressful calls while entering information into computer aided dispatch system (CAD) for Police/Fire/EMS dispatch.
– Ability to speak English clearly and effectively control a conversation with distressed callers.
– Ability to read maps, reference books, technical manuals, medical cards, and related correspondence.
– Work involves choices of actions within limits set by standard practices and procedures. Mature and professional judgment is required to apply the proper course of action.
– Maintain communication with other departments which may involve decision-making for public safety purposes.
– Ability to work with various local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
– Must be a US or Naturalized citizen or have lived in the US for 10 consecutive years.

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